CN108602415B

CN108602415B - Ionized air delivery system

Info

Publication number: CN108602415B
Application number: CN201780007554.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 理查德·约翰逊; 伊莎贝尔·科普
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2016-02-22
Filing date: 2017-02-09
Publication date: 2022-06-24
Anticipated expiration: 2037-02-09
Also published as: DE112017000916T5; WO2017144284A1; US20190061480A1; US11597259B2; GB201602993D0; GB2547474A; GB2547474B; CN108602415A

Abstract

An ionized air delivery system (10), such as a vehicle ionized air delivery system, includes an outlet body (20) positioned within a tube (26) of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system (14). The outlet body (20) delivers ions to an air stream in a duct (26) of the HVAC system (14). The outlet body (20) has an outer surface (36), the outer surface (36) being substantially spherical at a region of the outer surface (36) facing the air flow in the tube (26). Further, the outlet body (20) has an outlet channel (38), the outlet channel (38) having a major axis oriented away from an outlet (28) of a tube (26) of the HVAC system (14). The air flow in the duct (26) passes over an outlet (34) of the outlet body (20) and draws ions out of an outlet passage (38) to mix with the air flow in the duct (26) of the HVAC system (14).

Description

Ionized air delivery system

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to an ionized air delivery system and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to an ionized air delivery system that delivers ions to an air flow in a duct of a Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system at all blower speed settings. Aspects of the invention relate to a system, a vehicle and a method.

Background

Vehicles, such as automobiles, are sometimes equipped with air ionization systems to deliver ions to the passenger compartment. It is not uncommon to integrate air ionization systems into Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems in vehicles. Air ionization has been shown to improve hygiene, remove odors, and provide other benefits. In a vehicle, one challenge encountered relates to the effectiveness of air ionization systems at all blower speed settings of an HVAC system. At higher blower speed settings, it has been found that ions are not always properly delivered to the air stream in the HVAC system. In addition, other applications, such as non-vehicular applications, may be equipped with air ionization systems; similar challenges may be encountered in these non-vehicular applications.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to solve the above problems and to solve other possible problems that may arise.

Disclosure of Invention

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention provide an ionized air delivery system, such as a vehicle ionized air delivery system, a method of delivering ions to an airflow in a duct of a Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system, such as a duct of an HVAC system in a vehicle, and a vehicle as claimed in the appended claims.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an ionized air delivery system is provided. The ionized air delivery system may include an outlet body. The outlet body may be located within a duct of a Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system to transport ions to an air stream within the duct of the HVAC system. The outlet body may have an outer surface exposed to airflow in a duct of the HVAC system. The outer surface may be substantially spherical, at least in the region of the outer surface facing the airflow in the duct of the HVAC system. The outlet body may have an outlet passage through the outlet body for the flow of ions. The outlet passage may have an outlet to a duct of the HVAC system. The outlet passage may have a major axis that is generally aligned with the direction of ion flow through the outlet passage. The main shaft may be oriented away from an outlet of a tube of the HVAC system.

In embodiments of the invention, the direction of the primary axis may be oriented substantially transverse to and in orthogonal relationship to the direction of air flow through the tube.

The skilled person will appreciate that the term "substantially spherical" may relate to curved, elliptical and hemispherical surfaces, or to any other curved surface that provides similar benefits to a substantially spherical surface at the region of the outer surface facing the air flow in the duct of the HVAC system.

The ionized air delivery system described herein may deliver ions to the air flow in the tubes of an HVAC system at all blower speed settings of the HVAC system, including the higher blower speed setting. A venturi effect may be experienced near the outlet of the outlet body and the consequent reduced local pressure serves to draw ions present in the outlet passage through the outlet and into the air stream in the ducts of the HVAC system. Thus, the ion flux reversal observed in previously known ionized air delivery systems may be eliminated.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the outlet body may have a dome-like shape with a truncated upper portion. The generally spherical shape of the outer surface may surround the dome-like shape. The outlet may be located in the upper part of the truncated cone. The dome-like shape may minimize obstruction to airflow in the ducts of the HVAC system, and the location of the outlet may contribute to the venturi effect experienced.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the substantially spherical shape of the outer surface at the dome-like shape may extend to the outlet and may terminate at the outlet. Further, the domed outer surface may not have a generally flat and non-spherical profile.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the air flow in the duct of the HVAC system passes over an outlet of the outlet channel and draws ions out of the outlet channel to mix with the air flow in the duct of the HVAC system. The action of the air flow across the outlet may contribute to the venturi effect experienced at the outlet.

According to embodiments of the invention, the major axis of the outlet passage may be oriented substantially transverse to the direction of air flow in the duct of the HVAC system. The ions exiting the outlet may be transported generally transverse to the airflow in the duct of the HVAC system. This arrangement may contribute to the venturi effect experienced at the outlet.

According to embodiments of the invention, the outlet body may have a flange that abuts an inner surface of a tube of the HVAC system. The flange may establish a seal to prevent air flow leakage at an inner surface of a tube of the HVAC system.

According to embodiments of the invention, the plane of the outlet may be substantially parallel to the direction of air flow in the duct of the HVAC system. Ions may be drawn from the exit passage by the air flow in the tube across the exit.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the outlet channel may be unidirectional throughout the outlet body.

According to embodiments of the present invention, an ionized-air delivery system may include an ionizer and at least one ion delivery tube. The at least one ion transport tube may be in communication with the ionizer and may be in communication with the outlet body. Ions generated by the ionizer may flow through the at least one ion transport tube and to the outlet body.

According to an aspect of the invention, the ionized air delivery system may be a vehicular ionized air delivery system.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising an ionized-air delivery system as described herein.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of delivering ions to a flow of air in a duct. The tube may be a tube of a vehicle Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. The method may include passing an airflow in a duct of a vehicle HVAC system generally transverse to an outlet of an outlet body of a vehicle ionized air delivery system. The method may further include drawing ions out of the outlet to mix with the air flow in the duct of the vehicle HVAC system. The ions drawn out of the outlet may be transported generally transverse to the airflow in the duct of the vehicle HVAC system. As described, the method may deliver ions to the air flow in the duct of the vehicle HVAC system at all blower speed settings of the vehicle HVAC system, including the higher blower speed setting. A venturi effect may be experienced near the outlet of the outlet body, and the consequent reduced local pressure serves to draw ions present in the outlet body through the outlet and into the air stream in the duct of the vehicle HVAC system. Thus, the ion flux reversal observed in previously known ionized air delivery systems may be eliminated.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the method may include an outlet body having an outer surface exposed to airflow in a duct of a vehicle HVAC system. The outer surface may be substantially spherical at least at a region of the outer surface facing airflow in a duct of the HVAC system. The generally spherical shape of the outer surface may minimize obstruction to airflow in a duct of the HVAC system.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the method may comprise having an outlet body with an outlet passage through the outlet body for the flow of ions. The outlet channel may have a major axis which may be substantially aligned with the direction of ion flow through the outlet channel. The main shaft may be oriented away from an outlet of a tube of a vehicle HVAC system. This arrangement may contribute to the venturi effect experienced at the outlet.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the method may comprise orienting a major axis of the outlet passage generally transverse to a direction of air flow in a duct of the vehicle HVAC system. This arrangement may contribute to the venturi effect experienced at the outlet.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the method may involve the outlet body being shaped like a dome with a truncated upper part. The outlet may be located in the upper part of the truncated cone. The dome-like shape may minimize obstruction to airflow in the duct of the vehicle HVAC system, and the location of the outlet may contribute to the venturi effect experienced.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the method may involve the outlet body having a flange that abuts an inner surface of a tube of a vehicle HVAC system. The flange may establish a seal to prevent air flow leakage at an inner surface of a tube of a vehicle HVAC system.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the method may involve the plane of the outlet being substantially parallel to a direction of air flow in a duct of the vehicle HVAC system. This arrangement may contribute to the venturi effect experienced at the outlet.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an ionized-air delivery system comprising: a tube having a tube outlet; and an outlet body located within the tube and arranged to deliver ions to an air flow a in the tube, the outlet body comprising an outlet channel for the ion flow through the outlet body, an outlet to the tube, and an outer surface having a substantially spherical region R which collides with the air flow a in the tube, wherein the outlet channel has an outlet direction OD which is oriented away from the tube outlet and coaxial with the primary ion flow direction.

Within the scope of the present application, it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set forth in the preceding paragraphs, claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be carried out independently or in any combination. That is, features of all embodiments and/or any embodiments may be combined in any manner and/or combination unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to alter any originally filed claim or to correspondingly filed any new claim, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim, even if not originally claimed in that way.

Drawings

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a vehicle including a vehicle ionized air delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a vehicle ionized air delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an outlet body of a vehicle ionized air delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention, the outlet body shown installed in a vehicle heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system;

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the outlet body of FIG. 3, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a graph of simulated flow and velocity in the outlet body of FIG. 3 and in a tube of a vehicle HVAC system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a graph showing simulation results, where the x-axis is the approximate blower speed setting and the y-axis is the volumetric flow rate through the outlet body in liters per second (L/s);

FIG. 7 is a graph showing simulation results, where the x-axis is the approximate blower speed setting and the y-axis is the volumetric flow rate through the outlet body in liters per second (L/s); and

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method of delivering ions to an airflow in a duct of a vehicle Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Referring to the drawings, embodiments of a vehicle ionized air delivery system (hereinafter detailed "ionized air delivery system") 10 are depicted in this specification and will be described in detail. The ionized air delivery system 10 introduces ions into the air flow in the tubes of a vehicle heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system at all blower speed settings, including higher blower speed settings where problems occurred in previous systems of vehicle HVAC systems. The outlet body of the ionized air delivery system 10 is designed, constructed and arranged to promote the creation of a venturi effect at the outlet of the outlet body. The resulting pressure reduction at the outlet serves to draw ions from the outlet body into the air stream in the tubes of the vehicle HVAC system. Thus, the ion current reversal observed in previously known outlet bodies is eliminated in ionized air delivery system 10. The term "vehicle" is intended to include all electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and possibly more commonly internal combustion engine vehicles, of the types including passenger cars, trucks, and Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs).

Generally, ionized air delivery system 10 may be provided in a vehicle 12 as shown in FIG. 1. Although described in detail herein with reference to a vehicular application, ionized air delivery system 10 may be equipped in other applications, such as non-vehicular applications. In the example of the vehicle 12, the ionized air delivery system 10 generates ions for eventual delivery to the passenger compartment of the vehicle 12. Ion transport may be integrated with the HVAC system 14 of the vehicle 12; an exemplary HVAC system 14 is partially shown in fig. 3 and 4. Ionized air delivery system 10 may have different designs, configurations and components in different embodiments depending on the application, design and configuration of the HVAC system, such as the HVAC system of a vehicle, packaging requirements and the degree of ion generation and delivery required, among other possible effects. In the embodiment of fig. 2-4, ionized air delivery system 10 includes an ionizer 16, one or more ion delivery tubes 18, and an outlet body 20. The ionizer 16 generates ions to be delivered to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. An ion transport tube 18 is in fluid communication with the ionizer 16 and with an outlet body 20. Ions generated by the ionizer 16 are transported through an ion transport passage 22 (fig. 4) of the ion transport tube 18 and delivered to the outlet body 20. In addition, ionized air delivery system 10 may include other components, such as air movers to help drive ions through ion delivery tube 18.

The outlet body 20 serves as an outlet structure for the ionized air delivery system 10 to deliver ions directly to the air stream in the HVAC system 14, which then delivers the ions to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The outlet body 20 may have different designs, constructions and arrangements in different embodiments to perform efficient ion transport. The precise design, construction, and arrangement thereof may depend on the location of the outlet body 20 within the HVAC system 14 and the air flow characteristics within the HVAC system 14 at the outlet body 20, among other possible factors. In the embodiment shown in fig. 2-4, the outlet body 20 is secured to the distal end of the ion transport tube 18 by a sleeve 24 of the outlet body 20. The fixing may be by a push fit or other means. As shown in fig. 3 and 4, when installed, the outlet body 20 is positioned within a tube 26 of the HVAC system 14. The air flow within the channel 27 of the tube 26 is generally indicated by arrows a in fig. 4. The air flow a exits the channel 27 at the outlet 28 of the duct 26 to enter the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The outlet body 20 is located upstream of the outlet 28 with respect to the direction of the air flow a. Air flow a is typically forced through duct 26 by an HVAC blower.

Further, the outlet body 20 may have a flange 30. In fig. 3 and 4, the flange 30 is shown directly against the inner surface 32 of the tube 26. If a flange 30 is provided, the flange 30 serves to seal air flow leakage at the inner surface 32 of the tube 26, and may raise the non-flange and major portion of the outlet body 20 vertically into the air flow A within the tube 26, wherein the outlet body 20 may be more exposed to the air flow A. The flange 30 may have different dimensions. In a particular example, the flange 30 may have a diameter of about twenty-eight (28) millimeters (mm) and a height of about three (3) mm; of course, in other examples, other dimensions are possible.

Unlike the outlet body 20 in the drawings, previously known outlet bodies in ionized air delivery systems of the past have a periscope-like shape. The periscope-like outlet body has a single elbow along its extent that directly targets the outlet to the HVAC duct outlet. In other words, the ions will generally coincide with and exit the periscope-like exit body in the direction of the accompanying air flow in the HVAC duct. Periscope-like outlet bodies are largely effective at delivering ions to the HVAC air stream at lower blower speed settings. However, at higher blower speed settings, problems with ion transport have been observed in some ionized air transport systems. Similar to the arrangement of the periscope and the higher air flow rate results in a situation where the direction of the ion flow is reversed within the outlet body. The ions are not transported to the HVAC air stream but remain in the periscope-like outlet body.

To address these issues, the outlet body 20 has certain designs, configurations, and arrangements that facilitate easy transport of ions into the air flow in the HVAC system 14 at all blower speed settings (e.g., low-to-high settings) of the HVAC system 14. This design, construction and arrangement creates a venturi effect near the outlet body 20 that draws ions out of the outlet body 20 even at higher blower speed settings, rather than retaining ions in the outlet body as may occur in past ionized air delivery systems. The venturi effect causes a local pressure drop at the outlet 34 of the outlet body 20, and the reduced pressure draws ions from the outlet body 20 and into the air flow a within the tube 26. The ion flow in the exit body 20 and ion transport channels 22 has a primary ion flow direction 35.

Still referring to fig. 3 and 4, the outlet body 20 may be generally dome-shaped with a truncated upper portion. The truncated upper portion is formed by removing the top side of the full dome shape. In this embodiment, the outlet 34 is located in the truncated upper portion. The outer surface 36 of the outlet body 20 is generally spherical and surrounds the generally dome shape of the outlet body 20. Here, the generally spherical shape extends upwardly to the outlet 34 and the outlet body 20 lacks a flat surface at its generally dome shape. However, in other embodiments, one or more flat surfaces may be provided at the outer surface 36. In practice, the generally spherical shape of the outer surface 36 may be formed, in part or more, by arranging a number of smaller and somewhat flat and adjacent surfaces. Moreover, in other embodiments, the generally spherical shape may be present only at the region R of the outer surface 36 that directly faces the air flow a in the tube 26 (fig. 4), and need not extend completely around the outlet body 20. In this regard, other embodiments may have shapes other than the dome shown in the figures with a truncated upper portion. The substantially spherical shape at least at region R helps to create a venturi effect that draws ions out of outlet 34. On the other hand, the shape of the outer surface 36 opposite the region R and on the non-antagonistic and downstream side of the outlet body 20 may be a shape other than spherical; for example, it may be in the shape of a cone. Regardless of the precise shape of the outlet body 20, the generally spherical shape of the outer surface 36 at the region R serves to increase the velocity of the air flow a over and through the outlet 34 and minimize obstruction to the air flow a as it passes through the passage 27 of the tube 26 and as it encounters the outlet body 20, as compared to previously known outlet bodies. Furthermore, the generally dome shape provides for convenient mounting, as any rotational position of the outlet body 20 will result in a generally spherical shape directly facing the air flow a when the outlet body 20 is seated in the tube 26.

In embodiments where the outlet body 20 has a generally dome shape, the dome may be designed to have different dimensions. In particular examples, the diameter taken just above the base of the dome and the flange 30 may be about twenty (20), twenty-six (26), or twenty-eight (28) mm; of course, in other examples, other dimensions are possible.

The arrangement of the outlet 34 at the truncated upper portion may also help create a venturi effect that draws ions out of the outlet body 20. With particular reference to fig. 4, the plane P of the outlet 34 may have a substantially parallel relationship with respect to the direction of travel of the air flow a adjacent the outlet body 20. The plane P spans radially across the outlet 34 ("radially" used with respect to the generally circular cross-sectional profile of the outlet 34) and is generally orthogonal to the direction of ions through the outlet body 20. As shown in fig. 4, a majority of the plane P is positioned to coincide with the air flow a traveling over the outlet body 20, but need not be exactly parallel to the direction of travel of the air flow a, as the air flow a does not necessarily travel linearly as it passes through the tube 26. With this arrangement, the air flow a is more likely to accelerate over the outlet 34 as it passes over the outlet 34 than with previously known outlet bodies. This is believed to help create a venturi effect that draws ions out of the outlet body 20.

The ions pass through the outlet body 20 through an outlet passage 38. The outlet channel 38 is in fluid communication with the ion transport channel 22 and transports ions to the outlet 34. Referring again specifically to fig. 4, the outlet passage 38 in this embodiment is unidirectional and does not turn throughout its axial extent ("axial" used with respect to the generally cylindrical shape of the outlet passage 38). The unidirectional range is easier to ensure that the ions do indeed pass into the air flow a than the elbow bend of previously known periscope-like outlet bodies, since the unidirectional range minimizes potential surface abutment and interaction with the ions. Also in this regard, the length of the overall axial extent of the outlet passage 38 is less than the length of previously known periscope-like outlet bodies, again minimizing potential surface abutment and ion interaction. The exit direction OD of the exit channel 38 is coaxial with the primary ion flow direction 35.

Further, the outlet passage 38 has a major axis PA defined therethrough and is generally parallel to and coincident with the flow of ions through the outlet passage 38. As shown in fig. 4, the main axis PA is oriented away from the outlet 28 of the tube, unlike previously known periscope-like outlet bodies which aim their outlets directly at the HVAC tube outlet. In the embodiment of the drawings, the major axis PA is oriented generally transverse to and in orthogonal relation to the direction of air flow a through the tubes 26. Thus, ions exiting the outlet 34 are transported in a generally transverse and perpendicular relationship to the direction of the air flow a. However, in other embodiments, the main axis PA may have other directions and relationships relative to the direction of the air flow a. Furthermore, as shown in fig. 4, the main axis PA intersects the plane P of the outlet 34 at right angles. As noted, these arrangements, alone or in combination, may help create a venturi effect that draws ions out of the outlet 34. In some embodiments, the outlet direction OD is coaxial with the main axis PA. Thus, similarly, the outlet direction OD may be oriented away from the tube outlet 28.

Fig. 5 depicts a simulated flow and velocity of the air flow a through the passage 27 of the tube 26 and depicts a simulated flow and velocity of the ion flow through the outlet passage 38 of the outlet body 20. Generating a simulation by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software; other simulations may produce other flows and velocities of air and ion flows. Referring to fig. 5, air flow a facing and encountering region R of outer surface 36 readily flows through region R and accelerates over outlet 34. The ion stream is drawn through the outlet passage 38 and into the stream of air stream a and downstream to the outlet 28 of the tube 26.

FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating simulation results of the volumetric flow rate of the ion flow through the outlet passage 38 of the outlet body 20 throughout the range of HVAC blower speed settings. Generating a simulation result through CFD software; other simulations may generate other results. The x-axis of the graph in fig. 6 represents approximate blower speed settings 1 through 7. Speed setting 1 constitutes the lowest blower speed setting in the vehicle 12 and speed setting 7 constitutes the highest blower speed setting in the vehicle 12. In this exemplary simulation, speed setting 1 gives a volumetric flow rate of air flow A through the accompanying HVAC system of about forty (40) liters per second (L/s); speed setting 2 gives a volumetric flow rate of air flow a through the accompanying HVAC system of about sixty one (61) L/s; speed setting 3 gives a volumetric flow rate of air flow A through the accompanying HVAC system of about eighty (80) L/s; speed setting 4 gives a volumetric flow rate of air flow A through the accompanying HVAC system of about ninety-six (96) L/s; speed setting 5 gives a volumetric flow rate of air flow A through the accompanying HVAC system of approximately one hundred and fifteen (115) L/s; the speed setting 6 gives a volumetric flow rate of air flow a through the accompanying HVAC system of approximately one hundred twenty (120) L/s; and the speed setting 7 gives a volumetric flow rate of the air flow a through the accompanying HVAC system of approximately one hundred twenty nine (129) L/s. In this exemplary simulation, the volumetric flow rate of airflow a through the duct 26 will be about twenty percent (20%) or about one-fifth of the volumetric flow rate of airflow a through the accompanying HVAC system. The y-axis of the graph in fig. 6 represents the volumetric flow rate in L/s of the ion flow through the outlet channel 38 of the outlet body 20.

The graph of fig. 6 shows the simulation results for four outlet bodies 20 in a generally dome shape with truncated upper portions similar to fig. 3 and 4. The outlet body 20 labeled "original", "option (1)" and "option (2)" does not have a flange like flange 30. While the outlet body 20 labeled option (3) has the flange described in connection with fig. 3 and 4. The simulation results show that all outlet bodies "original", "option (1)", "option (2)" and "option (3)" exhibit positive volume flow at all blower speed settings 1 to 7. In effect, the outlet body 20 "original" and "option (3)" exhibit an increase in volumetric flow at higher blower speed settings.

FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating simulation results of the volumetric flow rate of ion flow throughout a range of HVAC blower speed settings. Generating a simulation result through CFD software; other simulations may generate other results. The x-axis of the graph in fig. 7 represents the approximate blower speed settings 1-7 as in the graph in fig. 6 above. While the y-axis of the graph in fig. 7 represents the volumetric flow rate in L/s of the ion flow through the outlet channels of the different outlet bodies. The outlet body 20 labeled option (3) in fig. 7 is generally dome-shaped with a truncated upper portion and a flange 30 similar to that described in connection with fig. 3 and 4. On the other hand, the outlet body labeled "alternative" is a previously known periscope-like outlet body with a single elbow, as described above. The simulation results show that the outlet body labeled "alternative" exhibits a negative volume flow at blower speed settings 2 to 7, which is the case described above where the direction of ion flow is reversed within the periscope-like outlet body. In contrast, the simulation results show that the outlet body labeled "option (3)" exhibits a positive volume flow at all blower speed settings 1 to 7.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method 100 of delivering ions into an air stream A in a duct 26 of the HVAC system 14. The method 100 may include passing the air flow a through the tube 26 generally transverse to the outlet 34 of the outlet body 20 (numeral 102). As previously described, the air stream a may be delivered by an HVAC blower. The method 100 may also include drawing ions out of the outlet 34 to mix with the air flow a in the passage 27 of the tube 26 (numeral 104). By employing one or more of the various designs, configurations, and arrangements described above for the outlet body 20, ions may be drawn out of the outlet 34. Other implementations of method 100 may involve additional, fewer, and/or different actions than those described herein.

Finally, it should be understood that the various designs, configurations, and arrangements described above for the outlet body 20 may be omitted and/or combined with other designs, configurations, and arrangements in other embodiments of the outlet body 20 while still achieving efficient ion introduction at all blower speed settings. For example, the major axis PA of the outlet passage 38 need not be oriented transverse to the direction of the air flow a in the tube 26, while the plane P of the outlet 34 need not be oriented parallel to the direction of the air flow a in the tube 26, and/or the major axis PA need not be oriented away from the outlet 28 of the tube.

It will be understood that the above described embodiments are given by way of example only and are not intended to limit the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims. The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but is only limited by the following claims. Furthermore, the statements contained in the foregoing description relate to particular embodiments and are not to be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention or on the definition of terms used in the claims, except where a term or phrase is defined above. Various other embodiments, as well as various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiments, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. All such other embodiments, changes and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

As used in this specification and claims, the terms "for example," "for instance," "such as," "like," and the verbs "comprising," "having," "including," and their other verb forms, when used in conjunction with a listing of one or more components or other items, are each to be construed as open-ended, meaning that the listing is not to be considered as excluding other, additional components or items. Other terms are to be construed using their broadest reasonable meaning unless they are used in a context that requires a different interpretation.

Claims

1. An ionized air delivery system comprising:

an outlet body located within a tube of an HVAC system for conveying ions to an air flow A in the tube of the HVAC system, the outlet body having an outer surface exposed to the air flow A in the tube of the HVAC system, the outer surface being generally spherical and including a region R facing the air flow A in the tube of the HVAC system, the outlet body having an outlet channel for ion flow therethrough, wherein at least a portion of the outlet channel is housed within a portion of the outlet body located within the tube of the HVAC system and including the region R of the outer surface of the outlet body, the outlet channel having an outlet to the tube of the HVAC system, the outlet channel having a primary axis PA generally aligned with a direction of ion flow through the outlet channel, wherein a plane P of the outlet is substantially parallel to a direction of the air flow A in the duct of the HVAC system, ions are drawn from the outlet channel by the air flow A in the duct across the outlet, and wherein both the at least a portion of the outlet channel and the outlet of the outlet channel are completely surrounded by the substantially spherical outer surface of the outlet body.

2. The ionized air delivery system of claim 1, wherein the stream of ions from the outlet body is directed away from an outlet of the tube of a vehicle HVAC system.

3. The ionized air delivery system of claim 1 or 2 wherein the major axis PA of the outlet passage is oriented generally transverse to the direction of the air flow a in the tubes of the HVAC system and ions exiting the outlet are delivered generally transverse to the direction of the air flow a in the tubes of the HVAC system.

4. The ionized-air delivery system of claim 1 or 2 wherein the outlet body is shaped like a dome having a truncated upper portion, the generally spherical shape of the outer surface surrounding the dome-like shape, the outlet being located at the truncated upper portion.

5. The ionized-air delivery system of claim 4 wherein the generally spherical shape of the outer surface at the dome-like shape extends to the outlet and terminates at the outlet.

6. The ionized-air delivery system of claim 4 wherein the outer surface at the dome-like shape is free of a substantially flat profile.

7. The ionized air delivery system of claim 1 or 2 wherein the airflow A in the tubes of the HVAC system passes over the outlet of the outlet channel and draws ions from the outlet channel to mix with the airflow A in the tubes of the HVAC system.

8. The ionized air delivery system of claim 1 or 2 wherein the outlet body has a flange against an inner surface of the tube of the HVAC system, the flange establishing a seal to prevent air flow leakage at the inner surface.

9. The ionized air delivery system of claim 1 or 2 wherein the outlet passage is unidirectional throughout the outlet body.

10. The ionized air delivery system of claim 1 or 2 comprising an ionizer and at least one ion delivery tube in communication with the ionizer and with the outlet body, ions generated by the ionizer flowing through the at least one ion delivery tube and to the outlet body.

11. The ionized air delivery system of claim 1 or 2 wherein the ionized air delivery system is a vehicular ionized air delivery system.

12. A vehicle comprising an ionized air delivery system according to any of the preceding claims.

13. A method of delivering ions to an air flow a in a duct of a vehicle HVAC system, the method comprising:

passing the air flow a in the tube of the vehicle HVAC system generally transverse to an outlet of an outlet body of a vehicle ionized air delivery system, wherein the outlet body has an outer surface and an outlet passage through the outlet body for ion flow, the outer surface being generally spherical and including a region R facing the air flow a in the tube of the vehicle HVAC system, wherein at least a portion of the outlet passage is housed within a portion of the outlet body that is within the tube of the HVAC system and includes the region R of the outer surface of the outlet body, and wherein both the at least a portion of the outlet passage and the outlet of the outlet body are completely surrounded by the generally spherical outer surface of the outlet body; and

drawing ions out of the outlet to mix with the air flow A in the duct of the vehicle HVAC system.

14. The method of conveying ions into a tube of a vehicle HVAC system of claim 13 wherein the outlet passage has a major axis PA that is generally aligned with the direction of ion flow through the outlet passage, the major axis PA being oriented away from an outlet of the tube of the vehicle HVAC system.

15. The method of conveying ions to an airflow a in a duct of a vehicle HVAC system of claim 14 wherein said major axis PA of said outlet passage is oriented generally transverse to the direction of said airflow a in said duct of said vehicle HVAC system.

16. The method of conveying ions to an air flow a in a duct of a vehicle HVAC system of any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein the outlet body is shaped like a dome having a truncated upper portion at which the outlet is located.

17. The method of conveying ions to an air flow a in a duct of a vehicle HVAC system of any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein the outlet body has a flange against an inner surface of the duct of the vehicle HVAC system, the flange establishing a seal to prevent air flow leakage at the inner surface.

18. The method of conveying ions to an air stream a in a duct of a vehicle HVAC system of any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein the plane P of the outlet is substantially parallel to the direction of the air stream a in the duct of the vehicle HVAC system.

19. An ionized air delivery system comprising:

a tube having a tube outlet; and

an outlet body located within the tube and arranged to deliver ions to an air flow A in the tube, the outlet body comprising an outlet passage through the outlet body for ion flow, an outlet to the tube, and an outer surface that is substantially spherical and comprises a region R that collides with the air flow A in the tube, wherein at least part of the outlet passage of the outlet body is housed within a portion of the outlet body located within the tube and comprising the region R,

and wherein both the at least part of the outlet passage and the outlet of the outlet body are completely surrounded by the substantially spherical outer surface of the outlet body,

and wherein the outlet channel has an outlet direction OD which is coaxial with the primary ion flow direction in the outlet channel.

20. The ionized air delivery system of claim 19, wherein the tube is a tube of an HVAC system.